Fundraising Team Leader Volunteer Roles
Are you the person to lead Pause towards our vision of a society where birth mothers receive the best possible support, so the removal of a child never has to happen more than once?
Our board of trustees have the ultimate responsibility for our success, and as our long standing Chair is stepping down after two terms in office, we need someone new to lead this next phase.
The trustees meet on a regular basis to discuss Pause’s progress, problems and the future. They listen to, support and challenge the Chief Executive and leadership team, to make sure they stay on track and meet all their legal obligations. They also work with the Pause Advisory Group, which is made up of women who have completed the Pause Programme, to ensure that women are consulted on and involved in crucial decision-making.
Pause currently has eight trustees who all have different skills, experience and expertise. What brings them together, is their passion for improving the lives of women who’ve had children removed from their care.
We are looking to recruit two new trustees as well as a new Chair.
If you are also interested in the trustee role, please indicate this in the admin section.
The Chair plays a distinctive and important role on the Board by:
• Leading the Trustees in supporting, challenging and driving the success of Pause.
• Building a strong Board of Trustees, who bring together the expertise, skills and diversity of background and perspectives to drive success.
• Nurturing a constructive working relationship with the Chief Executive that balances support, challenge, scrutiny and holding the Chief Executive to account.
• Chairing Trustee meetings, ensuring they have the right attendees and everyone feels included and heard
• Making sure Trustees represent the culture and values of Pause.
Please see the recruitment pack on our website for more information.
We work to improve the lives of women who have had more than one child removed from their care, and the services and systems that affect them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Every 6 minutes someone learns that they are losing their sight. Every five hours, a baby is born with sight problems. In these moments, two profound questions emerge:
• Can this be stopped?
• How do I (or my child) live this life?
The merger of Fight for Sight and Vision Foundation, which took place on 1st April 2023, will enable us to address both questions. By combining our strengths and expertise we are now the only significant national funder with the efficiency,
capability, and capacity to increase investment in medical research and social improvement. Together we can mitigate both the prevalence and impact of sight loss. We have a clear ambition – to save sight and to change lives.
We are now seeking up to four new trustees as we establish ourselves in our new form and under our new name (soon to be announced). This is an exciting inflection point for us, and our new trustees will be central in enabling us to achieve our ambition.
We have worked through our merger and have a clear focus and vision, as well as a strong Board and senior leadership team, all of whom are ambitious for the potential impact we can make. Our re-brand will also enable us to amplify our position as a leader within the sight loss sector. Our merger was a critical step in accelerating research which will create a positive impact on the lives of millions of people. We do not want this opportunity to pass us by and that’s what makes these such an important and exciting roles for the right people.
As a trustee, you will have the opportunity to steer the course of our charity and our sector, shaping our strategies, and advocating for meaningful change. You will be help us be a driving force behind world leading research into sight loss prevention, and transformative initiatives that enhance the quality of life for countless individuals.
We are particularly seeking individuals who have a medical or scientific research background, ideally in ophthalmology, and those who have experience in retail and fundraising. If you want to be part of something that will really make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.
“I extend a heartfelt invitation to those who share our commitment to making a profound difference in the lives of individuals affected by sight loss. Our journey towards a future where eye diseases are prevented and the challenges faced by the visually impaired are overcome requires the collective effort of dedicated individuals. We are seeking trustees who are not only passionate advocates for our cause but also possess the vision, expertise, and dedication to guide and govern our organisation. Your unique perspectives and skills will play a pivotal role in shaping and defining our impact for years to come.”
Dr Heather Giles, Chair
“Our two organisations came together to form a new dynamic, ambitious, entrepreneurial, impact-driven organisation to save sight and change lives. We are searching for trustees that can join us, and be at the forefront of creating the culture, the outlook and the methods of working and the operations to truly make a difference in society.”
Keith Valentine, CEO
ABOUT US
We are a new organisation forged from two ambitious charities: Fight for Sight and Vision Foundation. Our single, unifying mission is to save sight and change lives.
It is a mission that reflects two urgent questions everyone faces when they receive a diagnosis of sight loss: ‘How do I stop this?’ and ‘How do I live my life?’
Answering these questions guides our strategy as we progress a five-year plan with solid and lofty aspirations.
THE MERGER
Fight for Sight funds breakthrough research and life-changing services to build a more equitable future for blind and partially sighted people by accelerating breakthroughs in multiple sight loss conditions.
Vision Foundation works to inform, include and empower the visually impaired community. Empowerment is at the heart of what we do; our work focuses on what people can do, rather than what they can’t.
The merger will help us to realise a joint ambition to tackle sight loss from both a clinical and social perspective. Our combined organisation is now grounded in data and insight into the science, as well as the lived experience of, sight loss. With this wealth of evidence we’re determined to:
- generate further investment into the sector,
- accelerate clinical progress,
- improve quality of life for people facing or living with sight loss
Crucially, coming together is about growing our influence and impact, not reducing or diluting what we do. So, as we evolve as a merged organisation, we are combining our teams, announcing our new name and fine-tuning our unified
mission and strategy – as well as continuing with the important work we’re already committed to – you can expect big things from us and it is an exciting time to join us as a trustee.
OUR FUTURE
Our principal role is as a grant-maker. We award grants to the scientific community that could lead to scientific breakthroughs and treatments to stop eye diseases from progressing. In the future, we believe research can prevent people from losing sight and reverse sight loss. We invest to advance treatments that will cure eye disease and protect and grow the community of world-class scientists, technologists, and data scientists who can deliver tomorrow’s breakthroughs. Historically, Vision Foundation has funded innovations that directly impact people who are blind or partially sighted, from music classes for children to projects that take eye tests into at-risk communities. We invest in programmes, organisations and activities that deliver equity for and with blind and visually impaired people.
As a grant-maker, we are change-makers, accelerators and drivers of impact. We are bold, energetic, challenging, disruptive, tenacious, and determined.
We aren’t afraid to tackle the challenges facing the sight loss community, either. Recent campaigns include The Unseen, which unearthed the shocking scale and nature of domestic abuse among blind and partially sighted people, and See My Skills, which addressed high unemployment rates. The charity excels at working in partnership with others towards creating a more equitable society for the sight loss community.
As we progress, we’ll scale the impact of projects like these, look beyond the nation’s capital, and drive systemic change. We’ll need to secure the funds to invest in our trusted partners to achieve our ambitions. We’ll continue to fundraise by engaging with supporters and companies through legacies, events such as the London Marathon, and our network of charity shops.
The evidence we commission influences policy and decision-making to demand equality for all.
We’ll shortly have a new name that reflects our united ambitions, so it’s an exciting time for us and the people we serve.
OUR FINANCES
The charity is in a strong position financially, with a high level of reserves that we intend to draw down over the coming years as we focus on investing in sustainable growth and increasing our impact. Compared to many charities, we
have well diversified income streams, predictable costs, and are in the fortunate position to hold a sizable portfolio of investments. Our plans for the short and medium term are to invest in our income generation infrastructure, and to significantly increase the amounts of funding we can put to our charitable purpose.
OUR BOARD AND LEADERSHIP TEAM
Fight for Sight / Vision Foundation is the only organisation in the sight loss sector with an Executive Leadership Team that has over half of its members with lived experience of sight loss.
The Board currently numbers ten trustees, including our newly appointed Chair.
The Board meets four times a year, or more often as required.
Follow this link to find out more about our Board.
ROLE DESCRIPTION
As the most senior leaders in our charity, trustees play a pivotal role in guiding our strategic direction, amplifying our impact, and ensuring the fulfilment of our mission to save sight and change lives. You will serve on the main board and will be invited also to get involved in one of our sub-committees. These are currently:
- Social Impact & Scientific Research Committee (SISR)
- Finance, Audit, Risk & Resources Committee (FARR)
- People Committee
- Retail Committee
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership & Planning
- Provide leadership and strategic guidance to the charity, aligning efforts with the mission and values of the organisation.
- Collaborate with the board, executive team, and stakeholders to develop and implement long-term strategies that advance the charity’s impact and sustainability.
Governance
- Ensure effective governance, decision-making, and compliance with legal and ethical standards.
- Work closely with board members, fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, collaboration and open communication, harnessing different views and opinions.
Engagement
- Represent the charity at public events and networking opportunities to promote our mission and raise awareness about our cause.
- Develop and nurture relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, partners, corporations, government agencies, and the visually impaired community.
Evaluation and Accountability
- Collaborate with the board to evaluate performance, ensuring alignment with the charity’s goals and objectives.
- Ensure the charity is accountable to donors and beneficiaries, that is financially robust and sustainable, and that is effective risk management in place.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
We are seeking dynamic and dedicated individuals to serve as trustees of our ambitious merged organisation. The ideal candidates will have a strong commitment to our cause, along with the following:
Specialist experience
At this time, we are particularly interested in candidates who have leadership experience in:
- Scientific and/or medical research
- Ophthalmic research and/or clinical practice
- Strategic oversight of substantial fundraising and/or retail operations
Despite these areas of interest, we welcome a diversity of skills and experience at our charity and on our Board, and want to find the right candidates regardless of their specific areas of expertise or experience. So if you are interested in this role and think you can contribute to our mission, we’d love to hear from you.
General attributes
Knowledge & experience
- An understanding of governance, and experience on a committee or board.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain partnerships with stakeholders, including donors, corporations and government agencies.
Skills & abilities
- Strategic thinking and the ability to contribute to long-term planning and vision to deliver impact.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
- Entrepreneurial instincts and a healthy understanding of risk balanced with ambition using sound judgement.
Styles & behaviours
- High ethical standards and commitment to upholding the charity’s values, as well as a passion for advocating on behalf of individuals with, or at risk of, sight loss.
- Collaborative, highly inclusive, fostering trust and valuing difference perspectives.
- Solution-focused, with an ability to see the big picture and be pragmatic.
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
Remuneration
This role is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although reasonable expenses may be claimed.
Time commitment
While the exact time commitment may vary based on the charity’s needs and priorities, we anticipate the following general expectations:
- A minimum of four Board meetings per year
- Up to four subcommittee meetings per year (the specific committee depending on skills and experience)
- Preparation for meetings, review of materials, and other trustee engagement as appropriate.
- Annual Strategy Day with full Board and executive team.
- Meetings with members of the executive leadership team as appropriate.
- Representing the charity at high profile events, functions and public engagements to enhance its reputation and partnerships.
Location
At present Board meetings are held in central London. Subcommittee meetings are held remotely.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
A unique opportunity for individuals passionate about education to play a pivotal leadership role in Bristol. As a Trustee you'll contribute your expertise to drive The Leaf Trusts vision and mission forward.
Overview of the Role:
As a Trustee, you'll share collective responsibility for governing the trust, ensuring its financial health, probity, and adherence to legal guidelines. Your dedication to fostering a positive trust culture and driving performance will be instrumental in their success.
Key Responsibilities:
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Provide strategic and operational leadership.
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Lead the development of our trust's strategic direction.
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Foster strategic partnerships and secure funding.
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Ensure compliance with governance regulations.
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Oversee the trust's financial performance.
Desired Requirements:
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Expertise in Strategic HR, Law, Procurement, or Strategic IT.
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Ability to build relationships with stakeholders.
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Good judgement and strategic vision.
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Dedication to equality, diversity, and impartiality.
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Commitment to organisational objectives and values.
The Leaf Trust - Purpose:
At our core, we're dedicated to providing excellence in Primary and Early Years education. Through collaboration, challenge, and support, we empower staff efficacy and agency, ensuring success for all.
Join now:
If you're enthusiastic, committed, and ready to make a difference, we invite you to apply for the Trustee position. Help shape the future of education in Bristol and enable success for ALL.
How to apply:
Interested candidates should apply with a CV and cover letter detailing your experience and why you wish to join the Leaf Trust.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
All Nations Christian College is world renowned for effective cross-cultural training for Christian missional life and work, both locally and globally.
We are looking for a qualified lecturer to take overall responsibility for all aspects of our 10-week missions training En Route course at the Easneye site, teach on all other programmes offered by All Nations Christian College according to their area of expertise, and provide support and pastoral care to students. The successful candidate will have recent, extensive and relevant experience in cross-cultural mission and teaching experience in an academic context, together with pastoral skills.
This role is for a Tutor to be a residential volunteer on site (accommodation and meals are provided free of charge); or the role can suit a local volunteer who travels on site (travel expenses covered).
In the nature of the role, it is a genuine requirement that the post holder is a committed Christian and fully supports the objectives of the college.
Working conditions
Located: Easneye, Ware, Hertfordshire
Hours of work: full time / part time
(In order to apply, please send a completed application form and updated CV. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis)
All Nations Christian College is committed to safeguarding adults at risk, and children from abuse and neglect. We expect all staff who work with us to share this commitment.
All applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Mind in Salford is an independent, user focused charity providing vital services that make a positive difference to the wellbeing and mental health of local people.
As Treasurer, you will join a dedicated Board of experienced and passionate people, shaping our vision in partnership with a talented Senior Leadership Team. We are looking for someone who is not only committed to volunteering their time and expertise to support our work, but that believes in our mission and shares our values.
- Support the Board in its oversight of finances and finance strategy.
- Collaborate closely with the CEO and senior leaders to ensure effective financial management.
- Chair the Finance Committee, ensuring effective reporting to the Board and that action points are monitored and taken forward.
- Monitor and report on the financial health of the organisation.
- Lead with inclusive values, ensuring a high-performing Trustee Board and Senior Leadership Team.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Main responsibilities
In addition to the general responsibilities of a trustee, duties of the chair include the following.
• Providing leadership to the organisation and the board by ensuring that everyone remains focused on the delivery of the organisation’s charitable purposes in order to provide greater public benefit
• Chairing and facilitating board meetings
• Giving direction to board policy-making
• Checking that decisions taken at meetings are implemented
• Representing the organisation at functions and meetings, and acting as a spokesperson as appropriate
• Bringing impartiality and objectivity to decision-making
• With the chief executive:
- Planning the annual cycle of board meetings and other general meetings where required, for example annual general meeting
- Setting agendas for board and other general meetings
- Developing the board of trustees including induction, training, appraisal and succession planning
- Addressing conflict within the board and within the organisation, and liaising with the chief executive to achieve this
• Liaising with the chief executive to keep an overview of the organisation’s affairs and to provide support as appropriate
• Leading the process of supporting and appraising the performance of the chief executive
• Sitting on appointment and disciplinary panels where required
• The vice-chair acts for the chair when the chair is not available and undertakes assignments at the request of the chair
Essential
In addition to the person specification for a Trustee, the Chair should have the following qualities.
• Commitment to Accommodation Concern’s objects, aims and values and willingness to devote time to carry out responsibilities
• Strategic and forward looking vision in relation to the charity’s objects and aims
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship and adhering to Nolan’s seven principles of public life.
• Strategic leadership skills
• Experience of working with committees/Volunteers
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences.
• An understanding of the challenges facing UK small/medium sized charities in maximising income streams and donor cultivation
Desirable
To have knowledge and/or experience of the national and local landscape around poverty, homelessness and/or debt.
Experience of involvement/partnership working with the voluntary sector.
We are here to prevent and relieve poverty, hardship and distress.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER - VOLUNTEER ROLE
Unlock YOUR Potential is on the lookout for a visionary leader to join our team as our Chief Operating Officer (COO) in a volunteer capacity. This remote role is pivotal in steering our operations, fostering an exceptional organisational culture, and amplifying our impact.
About Us:
Unlock YOUR Potential is a vibrant, impact-driven startup charity dedicated to uplifting individuals from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. We are committed to delivering impactful programmes that encompass employment, education, life skills, mentoring, personal development, and comprehensive support. Our goal is to carve out new avenues for those in pursuit of positive transformation.
Role Overview:
As the COO - VOLUNTEER ROLE, you will be instrumental in overseeing our operations and ensuring the smooth execution of our mission. Your leadership will be key in nurturing our team and advancing our strategic objectives. This role is remote, with collaboration conducted via telephone or online platforms like Zoom.
Key Responsibilities:
- Guide the charity’s operations, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in all aspects.
- Collaborate with the CEO and board to set ambitious yet achievable goals.
- Streamline processes to enhance productivity and resource allocation.
- Lead our passionate team, promoting a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
- Implement robust systems to track progress and drive organisational success.
- Work closely with the finance department to safeguard the charity’s financial health.
- Ensure adherence to legal standards and proactive risk mitigation.
- Foster strong relationships with partners, donors, and the community.
- Be an ambassador for Unlock YOUR Potential, advocating for our mission and values.
- Carry out of duties that support the running of Unlock YOUR Potnetial and your role as COO.
Qualifications and Experience:
We encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds, ages, and skill sets to apply. Ideal candidates will possess:
- Proven track record in a management role, preferably within the non-profit sector.
- Demonstrated ability to oversee complex operations and drive strategic initiatives.
- Understanding of financial management principles and budgeting.
- Exceptional ability to communicate and engage with various stakeholders.
- Dedication to the ethos and aspirations of Unlock YOUR Potential.
Time Commitment:
The role requires a commitment of approximately 8-10 hours per week, which can be accommodated during evenings and weekends, offering fantastic flexibility to fit around your life.
Join Us:
If you’re eager to make a significant contribution, inspire change, and lead with conviction, we welcome your application. Together, let’s unlock potential and enact meaningful change.
Unlock YOUR Potential is proud to be an equal opportunity organisation.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Become the next Chair of The Story Museum, an award-winning one-of-a-kind Museum which immerses thousands of children annually in the world of books, bringing stories to life through boundless creativity and deeply engaging experiences; educating and inspiring the next generation of readers in its incredible reimagining of the written word.
Applications close at: 9 a.m. Tuesday 11th June 2024
Location: Oxford/online
About The Story Museum
The Story Museum exists to enrich lives, especially young lives, through stories. It achieves this from its most unusual Museum in Oxford where great stories are shared in the most incredible variety of powerful, funny and engaging ways.
Thanks to a creative and committed staff, they devise an imaginative programme of permanent and temporary exhibitions, performances, interactive workshops, skills-building courses and online engagement. Located in the heart of Oxford, it brings stories to life, unlocking the next generation’s creativity and imagination.
So much more than simply a ‘museum,’ The Story Museum brings stories to life through interactive exhibits, talks, shows and a beautifully curated collection highlighting the history of storytelling.
The Museum believes passionately in highlighting the human need for stories and takes pride in celebrating and devising the many innovative ways that people can benefit from them. They collect great and diverse stories and share them in the most engaging ways possible.
Founded in 2003 as the first museum dedicated to stories in the world, The Story Museum has grown in scope and ambition. Truly one-of-a-kind, the museum is a fountain of creativity and innovation, rightly recognised with its NPO accreditation, as a Museum of the Year 2022 finalist, the RIBA South Award winner 2022, and a 2021 Civic Trust Awards Regional finalist.
The Story Museum is an innovative, physically engaging world filled with stunning theatrical props, talking trees and incredible attention to detail that bring children’s favourite stories to life.
In terms of outreach, the Museum works with 8 schools and 4 community centres from the Oxfordshire area, offering free activities to the students who need them most.
Children and their education are at the heart of what they do – spaces are designed to stimulate and inspire, and their content is regularly co-created alongside young people who take part in their programmes.
The Museum finds itself at the precipice of the next exciting phase. Following redevelopment, the Museum has set its sights on becoming recognised both regionally and nationally for the iconic work that it does, aiming to be a beacon of education and a cultural leader in the storytelling space.
About the role
With their former Chair stepping down after 3 successful terms, they seek a new Chair to help oversee their governance, prioritise key targets, and drive financial and strategic growth.
The Story Museum is a registered charity with a Board of non-executive trustees who are legally responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the organisation, with day-to-day responsibilities delegated to the CEO and senior leadership team.
The Chair of the Board provides effective leadership by chairing board meetings throughout the year, working closely with the executive leadership team, and scrutinizing the charity’s progress against its strategy and charitable objects.
The Chair acts as an ambassador for The Story Museum, helping to raise its profile, build its network, and provide support to fundraising initiatives. The Board’s governance is strong, and trustees are highly committed and engaged – bringing the necessary energy and scrutiny to meetings. Led by experienced and renowned CEO Caroline Jones, The Story Museum has a dedicated, engaged and talented executive team — all united by a passion for the importance of children’s storytelling.
The Board and Executive have a healthy, amiable and professional relationship, ensuring the organisation has challenge and support in equal measure.
The Chair of the Board is expected to:
- Establish effective partnerships between the Board, the executive, and stakeholders.
- Ensure the Board operates at a high level underpinned by an inclusive atmosphere and active contribution from all members.
- Attend and chair quarterly Board meetings, quarterly committee meetings, the AGM, and an annual inspiration day board meeting.
- Have regular routine meetings with the Museum Director and other senior staff to act as a sounding board, provide additional scrutiny, and assist in response to urgent issues if they arise.
- Act as an ambassador at external events with an eye to secure additional funding.
- Represent the Museum to key stakeholders, including Arts Council England representatives and funders.
Who we are looking for
The Story Museum is seeking a Chair who can demonstrate:
- Corporate leadership experience at a board level (private or public sector)
- Experience in chairing Board meetings with an excellent knowledge of governance.
- Proven ability of helping to define, support and/or drive the strategic direction.
- A proven track record in stakeholder engagement, with a willingness to engage directly with funders, being mindful of TSM’s status as an NPO.
- Ability to listen, to consult and ultimately to be decisive.
- Ability to delegate effectively.
- Experience in monitoring progress against objectives and milestones.
- Experience in building networks and connections with a view to raising funds for charities and good causes across the not-for-profit sector.
- An experience and understanding of charity finance with the ability to monitor and interpret financial data.
- A passion and commitment to the values, purpose and activity of The Story Museum
- Professional or personal experience in one or more of the following: children’s story in its widest forms, publishing, education, media, the museum sector, arts, heritage and culture
- Being within reach of Oxford and Oxfordshire will make fulfilling the role easier.
- Candidates must bring experience of operating at Board level, with previous/current chairs, vice-chairs, and committee chairs especially welcome.
- A passion for the mission is vital, so experience in one or more of the following is highly desirable: children’s stories, publishing, media, the museum sector, arts, heritage, or culture.
Candidates must demonstrate a strong track record of senior strategic leadership experience and have a good understanding of governance oversight in relation to financial and senior management performance.
The Story Museum seek a strategic, collegiate and inclusive leader who can effectively manage change, challenge appropriately, advise, act strategically, and have a consultative and collaborative style.
As a proactive and vocal ambassador for the Museum, the next Chair must be comfortable articulating the vision and direction of the organisation to internal and external stakeholders alike.
Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.
Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Tuesday 11th June 2024.
Progress towards equality for autistic children and young people has been made and we’re proud of our role in this as a movement for change. But there is still more progress to be made. This is an opportunity to lead the board of a charity that is ensuring we live in a world where autistic children and young people can be themselves and realise their ambitions.
Location: London across several sites.
Applications close on Friday 31st May.
Who we are.
Ambitious about Autism is the national charity for autistic children and young people. We were established in 1997 by a group of families of autistic children who were concerned about the lack of appropriate provision for their children. Following a major capital fundraising campaign and a series of temporary locations and premises, Treehouse School and our charity moved into purpose-built accommodation in 2008, together creating the Pears National Centre for Autism Education. Since then, we have grown our education services opening Ambitious College, The Rise School and Spring School, and merging with St John’s College in September 2023, alongside extending our national influencing and enabling activities.
We run specialist education services and an award-winning employment programme, wherein children and young people are at the heart of our charity’s decision-making, policy work and campaigning. We also use our expertise to deliver training and consultancy to a wide range of organisations to improve awareness and understanding of autism. We want to help even more autistic children and young people to improve their quality of life and secure a fulfilling and rewarding future.
Even during the pandemic, we lived up to our name as we achieved so many goals and plans. We developed our Right from the Start toolkit, launched our Employ Autism campaign, and have grown and evolved.
We are experiencing an exciting period of growth. We were chosen to open a new school – Spring School which supports up to 90 pupils at capacity from ages 4-19 and we announced our merger with St John’s College. Although this is exciting, we have a battle on our hands as we call on the government to follow their solutions in the SEND Green Paper. We’re concerned that some of the proposals will make it even harder for autistic children to access education support and so we are asking for a public commitment from the government to fund support for children with SEND. There are more than twice as many children with SEND in schools and colleges now than there were in 2010, but the government has not set out what funding will be available to pay for the additional support they need.
We know there is an increasing need for mental health support across all schools. Everyone should be able to feel OK at school. But we know this isn’t the case for many autistic pupils. That’s why we created the Autistic and OK programme to empower autistic pupils to take control of their mental health and wellbeing, understand themselves and feel OK at school. Our guide is free for every single secondary school. But there is more for us to do, to continue to build and empower our communities to ensure autistic young people feel understood and accepted.
We recognise that there is still more to be done to grow and develop our important work, first outlined in our Time for Ambition 2021-2024 strategy and so we are extending this strategy for a further two years. Our aims continue to include ensuring autistic children and young people have an excellent and inclusive education, alongside striving for every autistic young person to have good careers education at school and in further and higher education, including experience of work. Autistic people need services that support good mental health by reducing isolation and so we want to ensure early intervention through signposting to specialist support. We aim to ensure peer networks are available alongside uplifting but realistic information tailored to autistic young people and their families. We also want to further develop our Ambitious Youth Network and continue to expand nationally to empower young people to connect with one another and to influence societal change.
Given we run schools, following a governance review in December 2019, we created our own Multi-Academy Trust – Ambitious about Autism Schools Trust (AaAST) which currently has two schools. We implemented several new changes to our governance including Joint Trustees and a joint committee structure wherein there are five trustees each of the Charity and Trust Boards and three Trustees who are Trustees of both Boards who serve as the joint Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer of the Charity and Trust. All Trustees of the Charity and Trust are members of a Joint Group Board Committee to ensure oversight of the Charity and Trust. How this works in practice is everyone meets together with a short meeting afterwards to discuss Ambitious about Autism Schools Trust.
Our new Chair.
Our current Chair, Neil Goulden, is approaching the end of his term in December 2024, and we are in search of our next Chair to lead our Board. We need a Chair who has extensive experience in modern board leadership, ensuring robust governance, and promoting collective strategic decision-making. We are looking for someone who is commercially astute, as we strive to drive our organisation’s continued growth, ambition, and development. We value a Chair who embodies credibility and adeptness in navigating complexity. The ability to work with others and build trusting relationships with a variety of stakeholders are key.
Our new Chair must be committed to making a meaningful impact and leading an organisation that empowers young autistic people during a pivotal period of change in our communities. We need a Chair who is an inclusive leader, fostering engagement, strategic thinking, and openness who will lead the board as an
exemplar of inclusivity. They must be supportive and challenging, creating opportunities for growth and positive impact.
It is vital that our new Chair works with the board to ensure that all voices are heard and will have an affinity for our mission to stand with autistic children and young people, champion their rights, and create opportunities.
The new Chair will work with an established board and ambitious executive team that is ensuring our organisation is sustainable, evolving, innovative and impactful, and leads change whilst providing outstanding education to young autistic people.
The Board meets once a term and has an annual strategy away day. We expect the time commitment for the Chair to vary, and we would expect the equivalent on average of circa two days a month across various activities such as preparation for board meetings, reading board papers, regular conversation with the Chief Executive, ad hoc discussions with board members and the executive team, and attending events throughout the year.
Our board is diverse in many ways, including autistic people, who are part of our board, alongside a balance of gender, ethnicity, and age. We want to continue ensuring our Board represents our society and the people we work with every day.
Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.
Applications for this role close Friday 31st May.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Join Irise’s Board of Trustees as our Finance Lead, part of a vibrant global community building a world where a female body is not a disadvantage.
“I learn so much from being a trustee of Irise. I learn about different kinds of leadership, we strive to practice our values, we are collaborative, and we support each other. Being part of such a great team and network of volunteers and advocates is a real bonus.”
Irise International is an award-winning global leader in period equality programming and advocacy, building a world where a female body is not a disadvantage through bringing together young people with firsthand experience of menstrual challenges to create change in their own communities and wider society. We work in the UK and East Africa, in partnership with our sister organisation Irise Institute East Africa and advocate together globally for the changes our community want to see. We’re powered by our community, driven by evidence and committee to feminist leadership. Read more about our shared purpose and values in our Global Strategic Framework.
We were founded in 2014 in response to girls’ voices calling for their menstrual needs to be acknowledged and met. Almost a decade later, our small and agile team has directly supported over 100,000 young people to overcome period inequality, enabled 287 organisations to address period inequality in their work and boasts a community of over 174 groups and community organisations across the contexts where work. We’ve won a global award, sat on a UK government taskforce and been named one of the most effective organisations tackling this issue.
Our current UK Board has 7 committed trustees who are committed to working in a way which is inclusive, welcoming, collaborative, transparent, and reflective. We were shortlisted for a UK Charity Governance Award in 2020 for our approach to Diversity and Inclusion and we are on a continual journey to create spaces where diverse people can find community and a sense of belonging- we invite everyone who joins our community to help us do this better.
Who are we looking for? We are looking for a dedicated and passionate Trustee - Finance Lead, with specific skills and expertise in small charity financial management, who can guide the Irise community through the next phase of our journey. With cuts to funding for girls’ education in the Global South and rising levels of period poverty in the UK, Irise is needed more than ever before and we want to deliver ambitious plans for transformative change, led by the people and communities who need it most.
What difference will you make? As a member of the Board, you will be willing and able to:
- Ask powerful questions
- Respectfully challenge yourself and others
- Collaborate with other Board members, Irise staff, volunteers, and external contacts
- Scrutinize Board documents and papers
- Participate in discussions and share accurate information
- Provide advice and guidance (based on individual specific expertise and experience) on strategy, projects and initiatives.
As Finance Lead, alongside the Treasurer, you will maintain an overview of the Charity's financial position and of the conduct of its financial affairs such that they can and do give well grounded advice to the Board of Trustees and CEO.
Key Responsibilities
- Actively participate as a key member of the Board of Trustees.
- Support the development of the annual budget and future trajectories in line with the aspirations of the Irise’s strategic plan and fundraising strategy.
- Advise on all financial matters, including regulatory compliance.
- Oversee the development and observation of financial policies.
- Keep the Board of Trustees regularly informed of key financial events, trends, concerns and assessment of fiscal health in addition to completing financial reporting in a timely fashion, making these reports available to the Board within reason.
- Have oversight of all financial transactions including monitoring developed systems for keeping cash flow manageable and efficient.
- Advise fellow Trustees on a regular basis of the financial status of the charity and where necessary recommend action.
- Arrange the compilation and agreement of Irise’s annual report, including the annual review of accounts by the independent examiner.
Person Specification
The ideal candidate will have sound financial knowledge and the time needed to comprehensively fulfil the role:
- Competent and experienced in handling finances, ideally within small charities (formal accountancy qualification preferred).
- Good understanding of the charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP)
- An understanding of the voluntary sector and previous experience as a Trustee
In addition, all trustees are required to fulfill the following duties as outlined by the Charity Commission.
Before you apply, please consider:
Time Commitment: The Board meet at least every 3 months. All of our core Board meetings are held virtually on weekday evenings lasting approximately 1.5 hours. Board papers are circulated 1-week prior to each meeting to enable plenty of time to read through and ask questions prior to the meeting. In between Board meetings you may be invited to provide additional ad-hoc input such as providing insights via email or taking responsibility for researching and writing Board papers on particular issues. We also have 1-2 in-person meetings per year; where possible, we strive for hybrid access to enable inclusion of those people unable to attend in-person events. Trustees are also encouraged to participate in online and in-person events with our wider networks and supporters from the UK and East Africa, and to support our youth leadership initiatives, for example we ask one of our trustees to provide mentorship to our Empower Period Committee. In total, you can expect to spend an average of 1-2 hours per week on activities and meetings related to the role. The role is meant to be compatible with a full time job and caring responsibilities, and we always aim for trustee input to be as flexible and time efficient as possible. We are always open to new ideas to make our Board as accessible as possible.
Term: Trustees serve a mutually agreed term, usually of at least 3 years, as agreed by the trustee and the board depending on the needs and desires of the organisation and the individual trustee. As a Board we engage in a continuous cycle of reflection, and each year our Chair meets with each board member, one to one, to review and reflect.
Expenses: Trustees shall be reimbursed whenever possible for all reasonable traveling, subsistence and other expenses incurred in connection with their attendance at meetings or in carrying out any other duties or responsibilities of the role, but otherwise shall not be paid a remuneration.
How to apply
Please share a bit about who you are, your previous experiences and a short explanation of why you would like to become a trustee of Irise International with our Chair, Linda Baines. You can share a CV, your Linked In profile, a personal website or any other relevant materials that tell us a bit more about who you are and what experiences you’ve had. Please don’t feel that you have to prepare something specially for us.
You’re also welcome to share your explanation of why you’re interested in joining the board in a format that works for you e.g. a short cover letter or a video recorded on your phone. If you have questions about the role, need any help or support to apply or would like to discuss the opportunity in more detail please get in touch to arrange a time for a phone/video call. We’ll arrange a conversation with some of our existing board members to explore with you whether we’ll be a good match. The deadline for applications is 10th July 2024.
fWe’ll also reach out to people as they get in touch with us to explore compatibility. Don’t worry if you miss the deadline - we do also consider expressions of interest in joining our board on an ongoing basis.